HomeWord - Jan. 30, 2009

2009Jan 30

COMMENTS

Adversity, Perseverance, & TriumphThis devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. — 2 Timothy 2:3 (NLT)

In June of 2004, for the 60th anniversary of “D-Day”, the world once again recognized the heroism of 156,000 American, British and Canadian troops who stormed the beaches of Normandy, France and began the process of pushing back and ultimately destroying Germany’s Nazi war machine.

Talk about tackling adversity head-on! Allied soldiers faced the toughest of challenges, having to approach the beach by landing crafts in waters that were mined. Those who made it to the beach had to eliminate and cross obstacles while being blanketed by machine-gun fire – in full view of the German gun-positions at the top of the cliffs. Those who survived then scaled the cliffs in order to overtake the Germans. Soon after the invasion began, the beaches turned red with the blood of Allied soldiers. Somewhere between 2,500 and 5,000 Allied troops were killed that day in Normandy. Still, the perseverance of the Allied forces paid off. By the end of the day, the German positions on the cliffs had been taken. A foothold had been established on the European shores that eventually spread across the continent until the Germans were ultimately defeated, and freedom was restored.

I watched a number of interviews of D-Day veterans that were incredibly moving and I could not help but be impressed and thankful for their commitment to duty and willingness to sacrifice for the cause of freedom.

The heroism of the D-Day veterans provides us with an example of what we are to be like as Christ-followers. The Scriptures say that we are involved in a spiritual battle and that God calls us to face adversity willingly as our duty and to persevere in spite of personal sacrifices so that one day, the Enemy will be finally vanquished; ultimate freedom will be restored and God’s desires for His creation will be fulfilled on earth even as they are in heaven.

Today, push back the Enemy by fighting the good fight as a committed follower of Jesus Christ.

GOING DEEPER:

How can the example of the Allied soldiers on D-Day encourage or challenge you in your spiritual journey as a Christ-follower?

What area of your life do you feel like you face major challenges to gain victory over the devil’s schemes?